1.TITLE:Research information in order to assist in conducting a financial risk assessment.

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2.UNIT STANDARD NUMBER:242554 replaces14526

3.LEVEL ON NQF:5

4.CREDITS:7

5.FIELD:Business, Commerce and Management Studies

Sub Field:Finance, Economics and Accounting

6.PURPOSE:

This Unit Standard is intended for learners who are required to do wide research of background information to support a financial recommendation or decision. The learner is not necessarily required to make a financial decision or recommendation based on the research. It will be useful for Intermediaries, Researchers in Financial Organisations, Actuaries, Underwriters, Technical Specialists and Experts in the Financial Services Sector, learners in Medical Schemes and Retirement Funds who do research and Development, Product Development, Retirement Consultants, Financial Planners, Bankers, Risk Assessors, Broker Consultants and learners in Managed Care Organisations and Retirement Fund Administrators.

The qualifying learner is capable of:

  • Analysing the research required to conduct a financial risk assessment.
  • Conducting an information search to answer questions raised by a brief.
  • Selecting information in order to produce a research report.
  • Organising and presenting the findings of the research.

7.LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE:

It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

8.SPECIFIC OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Specific Outcome 1:Analyse the research required to conduct a financial risk assessment

Assessment Criteria:

1.1A brief is analysed to determine the purpose, parameters and main themes of the required research.

1.2An outline of the proposed research is presented and checked against the brief.

Specific Outcome 2:Conduct an information search to answer questions raised by a brief

Assessment Criteria:

2.1Potential sources of information are identified for each of the main themes of the research.

2.2Sources are assessed for objectivity, credibility and reliability.

2.3Relevant information is extracted from verified sourcesand assessed for relevance in terms of the key components of the research.

Specific Outcome 3:Select information in order to produce a research report

Assessment Criteria:

3.1Information from different sources is evaluated and compared with due regard for different points of view.

3.2The salient and relevant information is selected for inclusion in a research presentation.

Specific Outcome 4:Organise and present the findings of the research

Assessment Criteria:

4.1The findings of the researchare organised in a logical and user friendly manner and presented in an appropriate format.

4.2The final presentation is checked against the brief.

4.3Sources are acknowledged and references with due regard for intellectual property rights.

9.ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION:

  1. Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures.

10.RANGE STATEMENT:

The typical scope of this Unit Standard is:

  • Long- Term insurance, Collective Investments,Retirement Funds, Provident Funds, Short Term Insurance and Medical Schemes.
  • Intellectual property rights include copyright and plagiarism.

11.NOTES:

  • CRITICAL CROSS FIELD and DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES:

This Unit Standard supports in particular, the following Critical Cross-field Outcomes at NQF Level 5:

  1. The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses show that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made in determining the main themes and key components in the brief.
  2. The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively in planning and conducting the research in a time and cost efficient manner.
  3. The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information required by the brief.
  4. The learner is able to communicate in researching relevant information and presenting the findings of research.
  5. The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically in sourcing information from electronic and other sources.
  6. The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation in identifying different points of view.

Search words: research, financial risk assessment, risk analysis

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L5 Research info 18 June 2006